Some crazy moments to forget, isn’t it? But not for the Texas Rangers’ manager, Bruce Bochy, who recalls the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres bean brawl that happened in 1984. It’s still in his mind and quite difficult for him to forget what happened that day. So, what happened at that time?
Let’s get back to 41 years ago when it all started. On August 12, 1984, the San Diego Padres faced the Atlanta Braves at the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. During a game, several fights broke out as the benches got emptied and thrown down, which is still remembered as the “bean-brawl” game. It was a record where 17 ballplayers were expelled during a single game. It was one of the craziest fights that ever happened in MLB history, and manager Bruce Bochy cannot get over it yet.
On March 23, during the Foul Territory podcast, Bruce Bochy, when asked about whether he would like to put his hand up and block a punch here, came up with a unique response. He said, “When Perez hit Wiggins there to lead off the game, I just remember Dick Williams going. I don’t care about this game; we’re getting them. And you know, every time we threw at them, they threw at our pitcher. We have an eight-game lead, so we’re thinking let’s move on. You know, let’s not get somebody hurt.”
“Would you put your hand up and block a punch here?”
Bruce Bochy recalls the 1984 Braves-Padres bean brawl as the craziest fight he’s ever been a part of. pic.twitter.com/IGKweaRkkf
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 22, 2025
What happened was that the Padres’ second baseman, Alan Wiggins, was hit by the Braves starting pitcher, Pascual Perez. Right after that, when the Padres tried to throw at Perez, they wanted to get the point, which they did four times. They didn’t hit him directly until the last at-bat during the eighth inning, ultimately leading to the brawl.
Even the Padres’ Tim Flannery came out bare-bodied, ready for a fight. Bruce Bochy continued saying, “Who was he? He kept punching in the fist with his nose. I said, Would you put your hand up and block a punch here?” It seems like Bochy wasn’t going back as well; however, despite that brawl, it surely brings a lot of memories for him.
After all these years, Bruce Bochy is currently the manager of the Rangers. He has been doing quite well; however, with less than a week left for the opening day, it’s Bochy’s role to bring some new faces and also focus on tackling the issue with the designated hitter position that’s prominent in the Rangers. So, who will Bruce Bochy put his faith in the Rangers’ lineup—Joc Pederson, maybe?
Bruce Bochy has his say on Joc Pederson’s importance in the Rangers’ roster
Amid recalling the bean brawl moments in 1984, the Texas Rangers’ manager, Bruce Bochy, considers Joc Pederson to play an important role. The Rangers signed Pederson for a two-year, $37 million deal in 2024, which perfectly complements their lineup, given the gap in the designated hitter position last season. The addition of Pederson not only bolsters their lineup but also allows them to play him as a designated hitter who can hit real big. Pederson’s 2024 performance was quite impressive, as he had a .275 batting average, 908 OPS, and.393 on-base percentage. But that’s not everything that the Rangers are looking for.
Joc Pederson can contribute a great deal with his expertise and abilities. His years of experience can make him a great leader, as he can guide the young players in the lineup and help them to improve the areas where they lack. Although he has been through a lot of ups and downs, Bochy feels that he is a great bet. Given that the Rangers didn’t have the production expected from a designated hitter, Joc Pederson’s inclusion in the lineup could help align with the goals and ensure that they make it to the playoffs this season.
Do you think Joc Pederson is a good bet for the Texas Rangers, and how much do you agree with Bochy? Let us know in the comment below.
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